Chapter 21
There’sa knock at her door, but Chloe doesn’t respond.
‘Chloe?’ Luke calls through the wood. He waits a moment, and sighs when she doesn’t say anything. Perhaps it’s childish, but honestly Chloe still doesn’t feel like she can face him or anyone, really. ‘I have to go to the studio. There’s food in the fridge if you want and I left my card on the table if you want to order in.’
Even when she’s avoiding him, he’s trying to take care of her.
(Like he promised he would.)
Chloe’s phone lights up a second before it starts to vibrate. Chloe sighs. Her mom is calling again. And again, Chloe doesn’t pick up. She waits out the call, so it’s not (quite so) obvious that she’s ignoring it.
And immediately, her mom calls again.
Chloe knows she should answer. She hasn’t spoken to her mom for a few days now, but she can’t bring herself to do it. Lisa knows her too well. She’ll know something (everything) is wrong, and while Chloe would love her mom’s comfort right now she just can’t take the idea of Lisa knowing she was right.
Because somehow, her mom is always right.
Text Thread: Elena Riera
2:32 PM
Elena
Chloe.
I talked to Devin, and she told me what happened. Please call me back!
3:01 PM
Elena
Chloe Jane, pick up your damn phone!
3:15 PM
Elena
Just…call me when you’re ready to talk.
For the record, I know Devin wants to talk to you, too.